Raiders don’t get mad, they get even

The heck with getting mad. The Raiders instead got even.
They’re 4-4 on Nov. 1, the first time they’ve seen .500 this late in the season since 2002, and we all know where they ended up that year.

How is this happening?

By being accountable to themselves and not worrying about bad press, bad officiating or shrinking attendance.

Even before the Raiders piled on the points and stats late in a 33-3 win over the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, it was a more impressive win than the previous week’s 59-14 win over the Denver Broncos for a lot of reasons.

It was happening at home, where the Raiders strangely have played worse than they have on the road in recent years.

It happened after a couple of failed opportunities in the red zone to open the game, and turn the clock back a couple of weeks against the 49ers to see how it affected the Raiders that day.

It happened against a Seattle team that entered the game at 4-2 in the NFC West. A weak division to be sure, and the Seahawks aren’t an imposing team.

But the Raiders correctly diagnosed the Seahawks problems perfectly and then took them apart with a picture perfect game plan in all three phases.

It would have been as big a win at 17-3 as it was 33-3 simply because it meant back-to-back wins going into the Kansas City game next week.

The Raiders, for the first time in seven years, are relevant again.

Their fan base will no doubt bring the “no respect theme’’ hard and heavy, but it would behoove the Raiders to handle it exactly as they have so far _ by assessing their strengths, improving their weaknesses and enjoying improvement as a total entitity.

Taking a moment to relive the days of a decade ago driving the kids on vacation to some distant locale, the question arises, “Are we there yet?’’

“No, no, we’re getting there, we’re getting there,’’ Raiders coach Tom Cable said. “It’s great to win this game and get to 4-4. It’s great to win two in a row _ which wasn’t really talked about this week _ and it’s just good to know there’s a lot more football in this team. It’s also disappointing that we are 4-4, to be quite honest with you.’’

More, news, notes, quotes and observations:

— Cable said X-rays on Nnamdi Asomugha’s ankle were negative and that he didn’t know the severity. It didn’t look good.

Just judging from how it looked, I’d be surprised to see him ready to face the Chiefs. He left the game earlier with a hand injury that was wrapped up and returned.

— Monster offensive stats in a game that didn’t look to be headed that way. The Raiders ended with 545 yards of total offense. That’s 1,053 yards in the last two games and a combined score of 92-17. The first time ever going back to back with 500 yards.

Darren McFadden gained 29 yards on his first 12 carries and then 82 on his last nine carries to finish with 111 yards on 21 attempts, highlighted by a 49-yard run.

The Raiders rushed for 239 yards on 39 attempts. Bush had a 30-yard gain, Reece had a 31-yard gain, Darrius Heyward-Bey a 30-yard run with a reverse.

— Passing? How about Jason Campbell going 15 of 27 for 310 yards and two touchdowns, a fourth-and-1 30-yard dart to Reece and a 69-yard strike to Heyward-Bey, who had five catches for 105 yards.

In case you were wondering, Cable says Bruce Gradkowski is the quarterback when healthy. He was throwing 20-yard passes in pregame and was designated as No. 3.

The guess here is Campbell faces the Chiefs.

“Coach Cable came to us the night before the Denver game and said, said, ‘No more ‘what if’, shoulda’, coulda’, woulda’, and throw it out the window. Let’s create things. Let’s try to make things happen,’ ‘’ Campbell said.

“He said, `Just cut it loose.’ Don’t worry about pressuring yourself to make every play worrying about being perfect. Just play ball.’ And I think it kind of won the team over.’’

Campbell even took out tough-guy safety Lawyer Milloy on a reverse to Jacoby Ford which gained 13 yards.

“I’m used to being the one getting hit. To lay one on someone else, it felt good,” Campbell said. “Kyle Boller told me that I should take those pants home because I had a little blood on them.”

— The Raiders had four players with more than 100 yards of combined rushing and receiving _ McFadden (135), Heyward-Bey (135), Reece (122) and Michael Bush (106).

— With the Seahawks missing left tackle Russell Okung and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane due to injury, the Raiders dominated both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Seattle managed just 47 yards rushing on 19 carries, with Marshawn Lynch getting 7 yards on nine carries in his homecoming _ including a 7-yard gain.

With the run choked off, Matt Hasselbeck never had a chance. He was harassed into a 13-for-32 performance and was sacked eight times.

“It’s like a snowball effect. I get one, he gets one, everybody wants to get one,’’ Kelly said. “It’s like, can’t let them have all the fun. Everybody wants one.”

The Raiders did some blitzing, but it wasn’t necessary to go overboard because the natural pressure was more than Seattle could deal with.

Shaughnessy is giving the Raiders some of their best defensive end play in years. McClain and Houston have made quantum leaps over the last three games.

“I would say the significant strides started three weeks ago,’’ Cable said. “I think the presence of both of those guys is significantly improved. They’re getting it. And you have to talk about Matt Shaughnessy on the other side. He’s doing a heck of a job. I think getting Trevor Scott settled in again at end has really helped us. We have a nice rotation at end.’’

— Quote of the day by Seattle coach Pete Carroll: “We accomplished nothing in any aspect of football.’’

A 1-for-16 performance on third down conversions would be a part of that.

— Reece may not be the best fullback in football, but he is the most unique.

That he has no peer athletically at position which favors plow horses has been evident for some time. Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is finding more and more ways to get him involved.

— Highlight of the day _ fans on my live chat giving Hue Jackson grief for the fourth-and-1 pass to Reece for a 30-yard touchdown. A perfect pass, a gutsy play executed flawlessly.

Blind luck,said some. Risky and lucky.

Honestly, some people ought to sit back and enjoy the ride. It hasn’t been like this for seven years and there’s no guarantee it will continue, so why not enjoy a decent bottom line for a change?

— Are the Raiders suddenly the NFL’s most fortunate team? Campbell’s pass off the knee of Heyward-Bey which resulted in a 55-yard pass play to Michael Bush was even luckier than Tyvon Branch’s interception which Deon Butler pushed into the air while making a valiant attempt at a reception.

Of course, Stanford Routt originally broke up the pass to Butler that ended up in Branch’s hands.

And, as Cable said, “Good teams get breaks. They make their breaks because of how hard they’re playing.’’

— Reserve tackle Khalif Barnes, who has become a blocking tight end in run formations, has been bragging during open locker room to the media about his skills as a receiver.

He caught his first NFL pass in the first quarter from Campbell and gained six yards.

“Good ball security,’’ Cable deadpanned. “I’d like to see him get more yards. He could have, too.’’

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I have to say that I wasn’t as worried yesterday as I was the SF game. Our defense was playing so well, and it seems like we got that weakness of biting for the PA pass outta our system.

I agree with you and Dell that there were more points to be had, but how about that defense mayne!

J Hill

Dakota Says:
November 1st, 2010 at 9:35 am

Dell, I am busy verifying Thec’s allegiance to McFadden

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LMFAO!

Bauce 4 Real

Best running game in NFL……dmac and bush we knew but reece joins in on the act lol…….my my my

Macho Man Randy Savage

Hey fellas. Wow! Awesome game by the D line! Solid vs the Run, creating havoc vs the pass. it helped the LBs and the DBs tons… Red zone woes did not cost us this time, though a better team wwould have come back on us during the 3rd quarter. Props to DHB for getting the 1st long one out of the way, lets hope the kid can do it more regularly.

Three weeks ago we had Loper’s Holly Roller. This week Bush gets the Imaculate Reception v.2010. What are the football gods trying to tell us?

Thec07

Dakota Says:
November 1st, 2010 at 9:35 am
Dell, I am busy verifying Thec’s allegiance to McFadden….we’ll see what turns up….time to review comments near the 2008 draft.

+++++++++++

Go to the way back machine Bruh…I never called DMAC a bust…I won an Authentic XXL Black DMAC that I wear every sunday….

Clear my name damit….

J Hill

yeah Hendu is in and out of boot….need him for stretch run

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Man!

If this team could get everyone back for the Pitt/Miami/SD stretch, I see the division right there for us!

My personal opinion is this, (let me say I know you like Grads as the QB, and you have defended him so in this blog). I believe, JC has to have rhythm to start out, to focus his play to creat, a more upbeat tempo for JC.

The first 6 plays to start the game were short passes, to develop that focus of rhythm.

I actually believe, my opinion, by running the ball, which he hands off, really sets him back from the quickness, he needs to see him play better and quicker.

JC, plays better, when he is more involved with the pass and most plays he excels at, our the short variety and when he does get comfortable he seems to become focused and plays better.

Final comment, I forget what Quarter, either first or secon, Cable called time out. The play was called in to JC, but the players were slow to get back in the huddle and the play clock was about to run out, JC should be aware of this and either moved to quicken the pace in the huddle or told the players to get moving or called the time out himself, that’s were I have issues with him, his game management.

RaiderRockstar

Satele is doing a great job this year and Veldheer looks like a beast at LT ever since they left him there and quit giving him so many reps at Center.

Why would you take a LT from Hillsdale that didn’t allow 1 sack as a 4 year starter and make him play C anyways?

#1 it’s takes time to adjust to the NFL, especially coming from a smaller school that faced lesser competition

Still dont like our pass rushing 3 technique tackles? still want a big slob in the middle that plays 1 or 2 downs a series? Romac in the middle, and our two book ends houston and shaugnessy are destroying the run game, allowing us to bring pressure right up the gut.

Al Davis is on fire right now, he only walks with a cane becuase he has spent so many years kicking a$$, and he is at it again. Davis retire?!?!?! Dont make me laugh!

Bauce 4 Real

Who coming to KC game?

RaiderfanNY

What a great game yesterday. Being a fan is all about having big games to look forward to — and Sunday’s match-up with K.C. is the real deal.

Finally, a big game in November.

My big concern: If K.C. stacks up the run on first down and we get a lot of 2nd-and-9s and 3rd-and-6s, can Jason Campbell get the job done? I don’t think he can.

The defense will need to get 2 significant turnovers to set up scores.

But I can’t wait to see what happens.

mistic1

# Bo Schembechler Jackson Says:
November 1st, 2010 at 9:45 am

Gruden called his own plays, sry.
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callahan was the o-coordinator, this is what i meant by play caller, if you must split hairs. Hu jack is the best o-coordinator we have had since the early 2000’s. is that better?

The Court finds that your prior ant-McFadden comments combined with you being against the Raiders drafting McFadden justify your placement on the Rue the Day list….however, your subsequent comments and defense of McFadden entitle you to a lesser sentence. You will be parole eligible in 6 months. Keep the faith.

The Court finds that your prior ant-McFadden comments combined with you being against the Raiders drafting McFadden justify your placement on the Rue the Day list….however, your subsequent comments and defense of McFadden entitle you to a lesser sentence. You will be parole eligible in 6 months. Keep the faith.

++++++++++==

I want a retrial…I…I…. I want another lawyer….oohhhh dammmnnnnnnn…….. ahhhhhhhhhh

Does that mean I dont get to were my Black Mcfadden Authentic????

CJ Legend 34

Hue Jackson is making the right calls for the players abilities. I like it man, I really like it. Our line is blocking and JC is putting the ball where it needs to be for the skilled 4.3-4.4 play makers that we collect year after year to make plays.

We did not have Murphy or Chaz our two best WRs.

Raider Dell

Trade BSJ for a DMAC fathead wall picture.

Oh I forgot, can’t trade a Michigan preppie for something as valuable as that!!

Bauce 4 Real

Kell is a village idiot

Thec07

Bauce 4 Real Says:
November 1st, 2010 at 9:54 am
Kell is a village idiot

+++++++++++
lmao…

Macho Man Randy Savage

The KC game is the equivalent of an AFC championship game 10 years ago. wooooooo! c´mon Raiders!

Raider Dell

Dakota

Thank-You

Bauce 4 Real

Lol Dell killin

Macho Man Randy Savage

Hey, where is THE RUE THE DAY THEY HATED ON OR WERE WISHY-WASHY ON TOM CABLE LIST?

aig-raiders

Dell,

I’m a Grad fan but I will root for whoever is back there. I thought Hue was way too conservative with JC much like he was with JC against the Niners. I thought JC had his best game yesterday as a Raider. Can we nit pick him? Yes but that’s silly. That’s like people were nit picking Grad when he was performing out there and they did it when he won as well. I have never said JC had a bad game when we won.

If Hue is going to be conservative, then he needs to call for more screen passes. Oh man, we’ve come a long way from the days of Jawalrus trying screen passes to now.

YoungAmerican

Again, I don’t know why I’m on that list. I was the one who said that if McFadden could stay healthy enough to see 20+ carries a game, he would be elite. I compared him to AP in that he might get hit for a loss occasionally, but if you keep pounding the rock with him eventually he’ll break a big one. I also wanted to see the coaching staff get him more involved with the passing game. All of those things happened, and now McFadden is having a tremendous season.

raiderdeek

I will be sold on JC if he has solid play against a tough KC and Pitt defense. Seattle pass defense sucked and JC didn’t have to do a whole lot in the Denver win thanks to Super McFadden. I still prefer Grads for now but I do think JC stepped up yesterday with some key throws.

Anybody think DHB should get credit for that long pass/punt to Bush? Maybe they should keep track of assists in the NFL. I thought that was going to be a pick for sure. Thank you for saving that one Michael Bush.